Key cylinder and electrical switch

ABSTRACT

A key cylinder housing has an upper pin therein. A cylinder plug is rotatable in the housing and contains an adjacent pin which may be a master pin or a lower pin arranged to align with the upper pin in one rotated position of the plug in the housing. A key inserted in a keyway in the plug displaces the adjacent pin so that the upper and adjacent pins abut at the rotary surfaces of the plug and the cylinder. The plug can then be key rotated in the cylinder, thus moving the abutting pins out of alignment. The plug and the upper pin are electrically conducting while the housing and the adjacent pin are electrically insulating. An electric circuit is completed through the upper pin and the plug when the plug is rotated in order to control an external mechanism in accordance with the operation of the key.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,801,755 Schlage Apr. 2, 1974 KEY CYLINDERAND ELECTRICAL Primary Examiner-Herman J. Hohauser SWITCH Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Lothrop & West [75] Inventor: Ernest L. Schlage,Burlingame,

Calif. [5 7] ABSTRACT ASSigIleeI schlage Lock p y, San A key cylinderhousing has an upper pin therein. A Franclsco, Califcylinder plug isrotatable in the housing and contains [22] Filed, May 3 1973 an adjacentpin which may be a master pin or a lower pin arranged to align with theupper pin in one rotated [21] Appl. No.: 356,707 position of the plug inthe housing. A key inserted in a keyway in the plug displaces theadjacent pin so that 52 US. Cl. 2 44 the upper and adjacent pins abut atthe rotary surfaces E InL CL on 231 of the plug and the cylinder. Theplug can then be key [58] Field l R 16 C rotated in the cylinder, thusmoving the abutting pins 260/5 out of alignment. The plug and the upperpin are electrically conducting while the housing and the adjacent [56]References Cited pin are electrically insulating. :An electric circuitis completed through the upper pm and the plug when UNITED STATESPATENTS the plug is rotated in order to control an external 3,742,1616/1973 Lipschutz 200/44 hani in a cordance with the operation of thekey.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I l I I I 2 y 1| I l i I l n '1 1| l 1' ll II 8 a l 1 1 37 I 25 PATENTEUAPR 2 I974 sum 1 or 3 FIG 1 Q E /m nPAT'ENTEUAPR. 21974 13,801 755 SHEET 2 BF 3 II III PM ENIED APR 2 I974SHEET 3 BF 3 KEY CYLINDER AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH In many instances it isdesirable to have a key controlled operation conducted electrically.There are available switch mechanisms having key controls for thatpurpose. Most of these provide a standard key mechanism such as a pintumbler lock and connect to the lock an actuating mechanism such as acam which controls external switches. Mechanisms of this kind aregenerally satisfactory for many installations, but it is an object ofthis invention to provide a substantial improvement thereover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key cylinder andelectrical switch in which electrical circuitry is controlled within thekey cylinder mechanism itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively compact,simple, key controlled cylinder and electrical switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key cylinder andelectrical switch in which the key cylinder conforms generally to theconstruction of standard key cylinders while having an additional,electrical function.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key cylinder andelectrical switch that occupies substantially no more space than astandard key cylinder unit.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in theembodiments of the invention described in the accompanying descriptionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a partly representational and partly diagrammatic showing of akey cylinder constructed pursuant to the invention and incorporated inelectrical circuitry;

FIG. 2 is a partial table showing a relationship of key bitting with thecontrol of connected instrumentalities;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on an axial, vertical plane through a typicalkey cylinder constructed pursuant to the invention, portions beingbroken away to reduce the size of the figure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing, inisometric projection, parts of akey cylinder pursuant to the inventron;

FIG. 5 is a diagram somewhat similar to FIG. I and showing a differentenvironment for the key cylinder of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 and showing a still furthermodification in the environment;

FIG. 7 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 and showing an additionalvariation in the environment;

FIG. 8 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 and showing an additionalenvironmental alteration; and

FIG. 9 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 and showing different electricalcircuitry controlled by the key cylinder of the invention.

In one form of the invention there is preferably provided, as shownespecially in FIGS. 3 and 4, a key cylinder mechanism including ahousing 6 or body having a configuration conforming generally to that ofstandard pin tumbler cylinder housings. In this instance, the housing ispreferably formed of electric insulating material, such as anon-conducting plastic, rather than being formed of metal, as iscustomary. The housing 6 has a generally circular-cylindrical portion 7substantially symmetrical about a rotational axis 8. Extending radiallyfrom the portion 7 is a rib 9 or wing preferably formed integrally withthe body 6.

The body is provided with a through bore 11 symmetrical about the axis 8and designed to receive a circularcylindrical plug 12 generally ofstandard configuration and conveniently fabricated of metal, as usual.The plug has an outstanding flange 13 at one end designed to abutagainst the end face of the body 6 and has threads 14 and the other endto receive a securing cap 16. This is screwed onto the plug until itabuts the other end of the body 6 with adequate clearance for rotationbut so as to confine the plug in the housing or body against substantialaxial movement.

The plug 12 is provided with a keyway 18 extending substantiallytherethrough and preferably having an irregular cross-sectionalconfiguration, as is customary. Formed in the plug and intersecting thekeyway 18 are several lower chambers 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, for example,although any number of lower chambers may be provided. Each of the lowerchambers is arranged with its own axis extending generally normal to theaxis 8. The lower chambers are usually arranged in a single, axialplane, although they can be arranged in different planes. Each of thelower chambers intersects the keyway 18 and breaks through the outer,circularcylindrical surface of the plug 12. Disposed in each one or ineach of several of the lower chambers 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 may be a pincolumn inclusive of several pins. Each column includes a lower pin 27most often made of metal. Although the lower pins may vary in length,they are all designated 27 herein. The lower pins 27 fit freely enoughin the chambers so as to be easily movable in a radial direction.

In a related fashion the cylinder body 6 likewise has formed therein anumber of upper pin chambers 28, 29,

30, 31 and 32 arranged so that in one rotated position of the plug 12 inthe body 6, the various upper and lower chambers for the pins are inalignment with their opposites an in effect form continuations thereof.Disposed within each of the upper chambers, if desired, is one of anumber of upper pins 34 of the same length or of different lengths andusually made of metal.

The pin arrangement is a usual one with the lower pins 27 and the upperpins 34 included in columns. If the upper and lower pins directly abutin one position of the plug in the body and if the pin lengths are sochosen that their abutting surfaces substantially coincide in eachcolumn with the rotary surfaces of the plug and the body, the plug canbe rotated. Otherwise, one or more pins bridge the rotary surfaces andblock plug rotation. The rotary surfaces are arcuate orcircularcylindrical while the pin abutting surfaces are often flat,although they may be beveled or rounded or pointed. Thus, the abuttingsurfaces and the rotary surfaces may not precisely coincide, but theupper pins, at least, can cam or shift slightly for acceptableperformance.

Particularly in accordance with the invention there is an arrangement toprovide anelectrically insulating surface or body adapted to abut thelower end of at least one of the upper pins. This can be done by makingthe mating lower pin in the column of insulating material. It ispreferred, in most cases, to introduce in at least one column anintermediate or master pin 37 made of insulating material and disposedbetween the upper pin 34 and the lower pin 28 so as to afford two columnpositions coincident with the rotary surfaces. The lower pin and themaster pin are referred to as adjacent pins for one or the other isadapted to abut the neighboring upper pin.

The pin lengths are chosen in such a way that when a proper key 38(either an ordinary key or a master key) is present in the cylinder plugkeyway, the various lower pins 27, intermediate or master pins 37 andupper pins 34 are positioned with one of the pairs of mating endsurfaces in each column substantially coincident with the adjacentrotary surfaces of the plug 12 and the housing 6. The key 38 and theplug 12 can then be rotated about the axis 8 to produce any desiredmechanical actuation in the customary fashion. If an improper key istried in the keyway 18, the key notches leave at least one of the pins,such as 27, 34 or 37, in a position straddling the rotary surfaces ofthe plug and housing preventing plug rotation.

Particularly in accordance with this invention, one or more of the upperpins 34is connected in an electric circuit through the customarymetallic spring 41 used to urge the pins toward the plug or keyway. Tothat end each of the springs 41 not only abuts the related upper pin 34but also abuts one of a group of metallic disks 42 each lodged in oneend of the related upper chamber, such as 28, for example. Each disk hasan individual one of a group of conductors 43 connected to it andpassing through the housing 6. Each conductor is connected by one of anumber of leads 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 to a representative work device;for example, to its respective one of a group of indicator lights 49.These are joined by appropriate leads at junctions A, B, C, D

and E to a common conductor 51 connected to a battery 52 or othersuitable source of electric power.

The circuit is continued by joining the other side of the battery 52through a lead 53 to a stationary brush 54. A lug 56 on the brushreceives the lead 53 while a ring 57 abuts the metallic plug 12 andespecially abuts the metallic end cap 16. A good electrical contact ismade with the plug in all different rotated positions of the plug withinthe housing.

In the operation of the device, with or without a proper key in positionand even though the metallic plug 12 is connected to the electric source52, and even though one or more of the upper pins 34 is similarlyconnected to the source 52 through a work device 49, there is nocompleted circuit since the upper pins 34 are surrounded by insulationand are physically out of touch with the plug 12, partly by reason ofthe insulating adjacent pins.

When a proper key is being introduced or is in the keyway, the variouscolumnar pins are so positioned that the abutting surfaces thereof areeven with the rotating surfaces of the plug and housing. The upper pinsnever drop into metallic contact with the plug. There is no electricalcontact. But the proper key permits turning of the plug in the housing.When such rotation begins to occur, the metallic plug then comes intophysical contact with the adjacent surface of at least one of the upperpins 34. This is all that is required to complete a circuit, forexample, through the one of the lamps 49 according to the particularupper pin contacting the plug. The corresponding lamp 49 is lit andaffords an indication of operation of the lock plug and also affords anindication that a particular key, able to position the particular upperpin for conduction, has been utilized. If, for example, a master key haslifted the intermediate pin 37 in the same column into the upperchamber, there is no circuit completed for the intermediate pin,although in contact with the plug, is an insulator. Thus, for the samecolumn one key indicates its use while another key, of differingnotching, does not indicate its use.

If in addition to or as a substitute for one of the lamps 49 there is adifferent work device, such as a motor or an electric door latch, acorresponding key controlled actuation is electrically produced. This isaccomplished without external switches and with all of the make andbreak mechanism well within the confines of the virtually standard keyunit.

It is possible to arrange matters, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, sothat two upper pins 34 might both contact the metallic plug 12. If so,the circuit can be rearranged and brush mechanism 54 can be dispensedwith. The corresponding two leads, such as 44 and 45, can be connectedto the source of power through an indicator. Dual contacts complete thecircuit. It is preferred, however, to have the brush mechanism and tohave each of the pins separately connected. This is for the reason thata family of keys effective to actuate the lock mechanism may then eachactuate an individual one or selected ones of the conducting pins orinsulating pins to contact the rotated plug.

By various arrangements of the insulating and conducting pins, variousdifferent results can be produced. As shown in the table of FIG. 2, thepossibilities of differently combinated locks and differently notchedkeys are illustrated for a situation in which there are five differentpin columns with the possibility in each column of electrical contact orno electrical contact. Contact and no contact are representedrespectively by the digits 1 and 0. The number of differentpossibilities in this instance is 32, whereas with a different number ofpin columns; for example, six, the number of possibilities is 64.- Byobserving the lamps 49, it is easy to detect which of say 31 (or 63)different keys has actuated the lock, as one key lights no lamp.

As an example of other uses, the mechanism, having five columns as shownin FIG. 3, is incorporated in appropriate electrical circuits asillustratd in FIG. 5. The circuitry includes the leads indicated beforewith their customary power source extending to a logic unit 61 of wellknown sort which distributes an impulse either to a solenoid boltactuator 62, as an example of a work piece, or to an alarm device 63.The impulse route depends upon whether the key utilized has been codedas proper or improper. That is to say, an authorized key is effective toenergize the logic circuitry 61 so that the ultimate impulse goes to thesolenoid mechanism 62 and thus retracts a door bolt, for example,whereas an improper key energizes the logic circuitry 61 to send thecorresponding signal to the alarm mechanism 63 and so afford a visual oraudible indication that an improper entry has been attempted.

In a somewhat comparable fashion, the circuitry shown in FIG. 6 iseffective upon a logic unit 64 to operate a disabling solenoid 66, forexample, to interrupt the mechanical connection 67 between the lock unitand a door bolt 68 to which the lock drive 67 is connected. In theoperation of this mechanism a proper key operates the bolt 68mechanically to withdraw it in the usual way but in the event animproper key is utilized, the electrical connections affect the logicunit 64 so as to activate the disabling solenoid 66 and thus disconnectthe mechanical drive 67 from the bolt 68 and prevent withdrawal of thebolt by the improper key.

In a related fashion, as shown in FIG. 7, a mechanical connection 71between the key mechanism and a door lock 72 is standard but theelectrical circuitry is effective upon a responsive device 73 to actuatea time device 74 in the nature of a recorder or the like. Each time thelock is operated by a key a record is made of the time of the operationand preferably by which key.

In a somewhat simpler system, as shown in FIG. 8, the circuitry from thekey mechanism is effective to operate an alarm 76 each time the lock 77is actuated under any circumstances by any of the keys of the group thatproduce contact. The warning indicates that the lock mechanism 77 hasbeen put into unlocked condition or into locked condition, as preferred,by an unauthorized key.

In FIG. 9 there is shown a more elaborate system. In this arrangementeach of the leads 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 from the lock mechanism extendsto its own one of a group of relays 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 having acommon conductor 93 extending to one side of a source 94 ofelectromotive force, the other side of which is joined by a lead 97 tothe brush 54. Upon rotation of the key individual circuits may becompleted through the individual relays.

Each relay is effective upon one of a group of single pole, double-throwswitches 98, 99, 101, 102 and 103. The switches are joined in pairs byconductors 106 and 107 and a conductor 108 is joined to the conductor93. With this arrangement when the individual relays are energized theyserve to transfer the double-throw switches 98, 99, 101, 102 and 103from the position shown into an opposite position. In order for thismotion to have the desired effect, each switch is connected at bothcontacts by conductors 1 l l and 112, for example, to the respective oneof a group of oppositely disposed single pole, double-throw switches113, 114, 115, 116 and 117. These are connected in pairs in that theswitches 114 and 115 are joined by a conductor 118, while the switches116 and 117 are joined by a conductor 119. The switch 113 is joined by aconductor 121 through a latch bolt operating solenoid 122 to the battery94. 7

With this mechanism the user can set one or more of the switches 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117 in either ofthe two extreme positions according toany code that he selects. Then, the individual relays 87, 88, 89, 90 and91, when effective to throw the switches 98, 99, 101, 102, and 103,either produce an open circuit situation or a closed circuit situation.A proper key in energizing selected ones of the leads 81, 82, 83, 84 and85 can complete a circuit through the solenoid 122 to actuate the lock.An improper key produces only an open circuit and the solenoid 122 isnot then energized. This affords the lock owner easy changes in the fivedigit combination at any time in accordance with a simple, manualroutine.

In all of the forms of the invention the characteristic of the pintumbler lock unit is to have an open circuit change to a closed circuitwithin the lock mechanism by rotation of the lock plug.

While in the foregoing description and in the drawings it is the lockhousing that is insulating, it is equally possible to make the plug ofinsulating material and the housing of conducting material and toarrange that the lower pins, such as 27, in an insulating plug 12,contact a conducting housing. In both instances a virtually standardlock mechanism by the inclusion of certain insulators or insulating pinsis made into a device for appropriately controlling an electricalcircuit.

What is claimed is:

1. A key cylinder and electrical switch comprising a cylinder body ofelectrically insulating material and formed with a passage thereinsymmetrical about an axis, a cylinder plug of electrically conductingmaterial disposed in said passage and rotatable about said axis, meansdefining an upper pin chamber in said body and a lower pin chamber insaid plug adapted to align in one rotated position of said plug in saidbody, an upper pin of electrically conducting material in said upper pinchamber, means for urging said upper pin towards said plug, means in oneof said pin chambers and effective in said one position for separatingsaid upper pin from said plug, a source of electrical power, and meansfor connecting said plug through said source to said upper pm.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which said separating means includes a pinof electrically insulating material.

3. A device as in claim 2 including a lower pin in said lower chamberand in which said pin of electrically insulating material is a masterpin disposed between said upper pin and said lowerpin.

4. A device as in claim 1 in which said connecting means includes abrush abutting said plug.

5'. A device as in claim 1 in which said plug includes a keyway open tosaid lower pin chamber and adapted to receive a key engageable with saidlower pin.

6. A key cylinder and electrical switch comprising a cylinder bodyformed with a passage therein symmetrical about a mainaxis and having anupper pin chamber therein normal to said main axis, a cylinder plugrotatable in said passage about said main axis and formed with a keywayextending axially therein and with a lower pin chamber therein openingto said keyway and adapted in one rotated position of said plug in saidbody to align with said upper pin chamber, an upper pin in said upperpin chamber, a lower pin in said lower pin chamber, at least one of saidpins being of electrically conducting material and one of said cylinderbody and said cylinder plug being of electrically insulating materialand containing said electrically conducting pin and the other of saidcylinder body and said cylinder plug being of electrically conductingmaterial, an electrical insulator disposed between said upper pin andsaid lower pin in said one rotated position, a source of electricalpower, and means for connecting said source to said other of saidcylinder body and said cylinder plug and to said electrically conductingpin.

7. A key cylinder and electrical switch comprising a cylinder housing,an upper pin in said housing, a cylinder plug rotatable in said housing,a lower pin in said plug adapted to be positioned out of and inalignment with said upper pin, a key receivable in said plug fordisplacing said pins to abut at the rotary surfaces of said plug andsaid cylinder and for rotating said plug to move said pins into and outof alignment, an electric circuit, and means including said upper pinand said plug for opening and closing said circuit by said rotation.

1. A key cylinder and electrical switch comprising a cylinder body ofelectrically insulating material and formed with a passage thereinsymmetrical about an axis, a cylinder plug of electrically conductingmaterial disposed in said passage and rotatable about said axis, meansdefining an upper pin chamber in said body and a lower pin chamber insaid plug adapted to align in one rotated position of said plug in saidbody, an upper pin of electrically conducting material in said upper pinchamber, means for urging said upper pin towards said plug, means in oneof said pin chambers and effective in said one position for separatingsaid upper pin from said plug, a source of electrical power, and meansfor connecting said plug through said source to said upper pin.
 2. Adevice as in claim 1 in which said separating means includes a pin ofelectrically insulating material.
 3. A device as in claim 2 including alower pin in said lower chamber and in which said pin of electricallyinsulating material is a master pin disposed between said upper pin andsaid lower pin.
 4. A device as in claim 1 in which said connecting meansincludes a brush abutting said plug.
 5. A device as in claim 1 in whichsaid plug includes a keyway open to said lower pin chamber and adaptedto receive a key engageable with said lower pin.
 6. A key cylinder andelectrical switch comprising a cylinder body formed with a paSsagetherein symmetrical about a main axis and having an upper pin chambertherein normal to said main axis, a cylinder plug rotatable in saidpassage about said main axis and formed with a keyway extending axiallytherein and with a lower pin chamber therein opening to said keyway andadapted in one rotated position of said plug in said body to align withsaid upper pin chamber, an upper pin in said upper pin chamber, a lowerpin in said lower pin chamber, at least one of said pins being ofelectrically conducting material and one of said cylinder body and saidcylinder plug being of electrically insulating material and containingsaid electrically conducting pin and the other of said cylinder body andsaid cylinder plug being of electrically conducting material, anelectrical insulator disposed between said upper pin and said lower pinin said one rotated position, a source of electrical power, and meansfor connecting said source to said other of said cylinder body and saidcylinder plug and to said electrically conducting pin.
 7. A key cylinderand electrical switch comprising a cylinder housing, an upper pin insaid housing, a cylinder plug rotatable in said housing, a lower pin insaid plug adapted to be positioned out of and in alignment with saidupper pin, a key receivable in said plug for displacing said pins toabut at the rotary surfaces of said plug and said cylinder and forrotating said plug to move said pins into and out of alignment, anelectric circuit, and means including said upper pin and said plug foropening and closing said circuit by said rotation.